Johnny Walker is back with a bang! After a rough patch in his career, with just one win against Anthony Smith in 2023, followed by back-to-back losses and canceled bouts, this fight at UFC Shanghai meant everything for him. And the Brazilian delivered in style, reigniting his run with a statement victory over Zhang Mingyang in front of the Chinese star’s home crowd. And now, he wants a top 5 opponent for his next fight!

Mingyang looked sharp early on. He stuffed Walker’s takedown attempts, landed heavy shots from top control, and tagged the veteran with crisp punches on the feet. But in the second round, the momentum shifted. Walker began finding his rhythm with kicks from range before blasting a calf kick that dropped Mingyang. A barrage of follow-up punches forced referee Marc Goddard to step in—though many felt he let the action go on a bit too long, sparking some debate around the stoppage.

Still, the 33-year-old reminded fans that he’s gone toe-to-toe with some of the best at 205. Now, with his first step on the redemption ladder secured, he’s aiming for the top dogs of the division. In his post-fight interview, Walker thanked the Shanghai crowd and issued a callout to Jan Błachowicz, declaring, “I want to feel the legendary Polish power!” 

‘The Legendary Polish Power’ is a former champ, and his last two defeats came against a former champion in Pereira and a surging contender in Ulberg. So his setbacks don’t look as bad, unlike Walker, who’s currently ranked 13 and just picked up a win over someone sitting just below him. That makes a fight with Blachowicz a little tricky to land, as Walker might need another strong win before getting that opportunity.

Who should Johnny Walker face next after the UFC Shanghai victory?

The Brazilian definitely scored an amazing win against a dangerous fighter like Zhang Mingyang. But it’s also true that he just got back into the win column, and rushing straight into a fight with Jan Blachowicz might not be the best idea. However, the light heavyweight division has some really interesting matchups for him that the UFC could explore.

Walker was already scheduled to face two tough 205ers before fighting Mingyang in the UFC Shanghai main event. One was Bogdan Guskov, and the other was Azamat Murzakanov. Both of these matchups would be perfect tests to see whether he’s truly ready to take on an even more formidable challenger. And if he passes that test, there are two former champions waiting for him.

One would be his original callout, Jan Blachowicz, and the other a rematch with Jamahal Hill, who’s currently on a three-fight losing streak. Walker already suffered a brutal KO loss to ‘Sweet Dreams’ back in 2022, and running it back would give him a golden chance to settle the score. That would be a huge step toward redemption.

That said, as Johnny Walker finally lands a much-needed victory, the question remains! Can he carry this momentum forward, or will he stumble into another setback? Share your thoughts in the comments below!